Glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) consist of a heterogeneous population of cell types, each characterized by distinct morphological features, physiological properties, and specific markers. In contrast to the previous view that glial cells were passive elements in the brain, accumulating evidence suggests that glial cells are active participants in various brain functions and brain disorders. This review summarizes recent progress of glial cell studies from several groups in China, ranging from studies about the mechanisms of neuron-glia crosstalking to investigations on the roles of glial cells in various CNS disorders.